Protect Yourself

The Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) was created in 1970 as a non-profit, non-government, membership corporation, funded by member broker-dealers. SIPC provides limited coverage to investors on their brokerage accounts if their brokerage firm becomes insolvent. SIPC also, in many cases, protects customers from unauthorized trading in, or theft from, their securities accounts. All brokerage firms that sell stocks or bonds to the investing public, or that clear such transactions, i.e. introducing or clearing firms respectively, are required to be members of SIPC. Some special products firms, such as those that sell mutual funds or variable annuities only, will not be members of SIPC.

SIPC Membership

SIPC coverage applies to current (and in some cases former) SIPC members. Virtually all broker-dealers registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are SIPC members; those few that are not must disclose this fact to their customers. SIPC members must display an official sign showing their membership. Check whether a firm is a SIPC member through the member database or call the SIPC Membership Department at (202) 371-8300.

SIPC’s power to protect customers of former SIPC members ends 180 days after the member loses SEC registration. The SEC normally does not terminate a broker-dealer’s registration if the SEC knows that the broker-dealer owes securities or cash to customers. Customers can therefore better protect themselves and assist the SEC by reporting their losses promptly.

SIPC Coverage

In general, SIPC coverage is available in two distinct types of situations:

Insolvent or Bankrupt Firms

SIPC was created to return customer property when a clearing firm became insolvent. In the securities industry, there are many cases where two separate broker-dealers work together to service a customer account. These firms are known as the introducing firm and the clearing firm. The introducing firm typically employs the individual broker who takes the customer’s order and who sees that the order gets executed.

The clearing firm will hold the customer’s cash and securities and send out statements describing the assets it holds "on deposit" for the customer. If the clearing firm becomes insolvent or otherwise cannot return the customer’s property, it is SIPC’s responsibility, not the introducing firm’s, to make sure the customer’s cash and securities are returned. For years, this was the most common situation where SIPC came forward to protect customers.

In virtually all cases, when an introducing firm ceases to operate, customer assets are safe as they remain in the custody of the clearing firm. You will find the name of the clearing firm on the monthly/quarterly brokerage statements you receive.

Unauthorized Trading

SIPC's coverage also includes protection against unauthorized trading in customers’ securities accounts. This coverage can include unauthorized trading by persons associated with the introducing firm and may be available even if the clearing firm is still solvent.

Limits of SIPC Coverage

SIPC is limited in the risks, amounts, and investments that it covers, as described below.

Market Risk Not Covered

SIPC does not protect against market risk, which is the risk inherent in a fluctuating market. It protects the value of the securities held by the broker-dealer as of the time that a SIPC trustee is appointed. Trustees are appointed through a SIPC-initiated court proceeding to supervise the liquidation of a SIPC member that is insolvent or cannot return customer cash or securities.

An example shows this risk: A broker is shut down owing a customer 100 shares of ABC stock that was worth $50 a share, for a total value of $5,000. Five months later when the SIPC trustee is appointed, the stock has dropped to $30 a share. SIPC coverage would be limited to either replacing the 100 shares of ABC or the $3,000 in cash that the customer’s stock is worth at the time of the appointment of the trustee. Conversely, if the stock rose to $70 a share when the trustee was appointed, SIPC would either give the customer 100 shares of ABC stock or, if the shares are not available, would give the customer $7,000. In short, the fluctuation in the value of the shares represents the market risk that is not covered by SIPC.

Dollar Limitations

SIPC coverage is also limited to $500,000 per customer, including up to $250,000 for cash. For purposes of SIPC coverage, customers are persons who have securities or cash on deposit with a SIPC member for the purpose of, or as a result of, securities transactions. For example, if a customer has 1000 shares of XYZ stock valued at $200,000 and $10,000 cash in the account, both the security and the cash balance would be protected. SIPC does not protect customer funds placed with a broker-dealer just to earn interest. Insiders of the broker-dealer, such as its, owners, officers, partners, are not customers for SIPC coverage.

Protected Investments

Not all investments are protected by SIPC. In general, SIPC covers notes, stocks, bonds, mutual fund and other investment company shares, and other registered securities. It does not cover instruments such as unregistered investment contracts, unregistered limited partnerships, fixed annuity contracts, currency, and interests in gold, silver, or other commodity futures contracts or commodity options.

SIPC Liquidation Process

In the rare event of a SIPC liquidation, SIPC will generally ask a court to appoint a trustee to supervise the liquidation of a SIPC member that is insolvent or cannot return customer cash or securities. The trustee's duties include ensuring the return of customer property.

The trustee will send claim forms to each customer of the liquidating broker-dealer based on the broker-dealer's records and publish notice of the liquidation on its website at www.sipc.org. In addition, such notice may be published in some newspapers. Customers receiving a claim form must return it to the trustee by the deadline on the form or risk not recovering their cash or securities. The trustee reviews the customers' forms and determines what moneys to pay and what securities to return.

Investor Checklist

Customers should protect themselves by taking the following steps:

Read and Keep All DocumentsRead all documents when opening a customer account and keep copies of them.

Check Trade ConfirmationsGet and keep a confirmation for each security transaction, and check it to make sure it is accurate.

Review StatementsReview account statements for accuracy by checking all purchases, sales, receipt and delivery of securities, securities positions, receipts and disbursements of cash, and any other debits and credits.

Pay the SIPC MemberDo not make checks or other payments payable to an individual if they are to be deposited in a securities account. Be extremely careful if asked to make a check payable to any entity that is not: (1) the broker-dealer itself, (2) the broker-dealer’s clearing firm, or (3) a bank as escrow agent. Do not use abbreviations, such as initials, on checks or other methods of payment. Write out the full name of the payee.

Report Unauthorized TradesImmediately report suspected unauthorized trades in writing to the broker-dealer and keep a copy of the letter or e-mail. If mailed, use certified mail to show the broker-dealer got the letter. Promptly send copies to a regulator listed below.

Report Problems to Regulators ASAPInvestors who cannot contact their broker-dealer, or who suspect wrongdoing or financial difficulties at the broker-dealer, should immediately file a complaint with Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. through our online Investor Complaint Center.